When Pope Francis condemned abortion in his address to the Vatican diplomatic corps, wire-service reports suggested that the Pope’s statement was a gesture toward disgruntled conservative Catholics.

In his denunciation of the “throwaway culture” that devalues human life, the Pope told the diplomats that it is “frightful” (some translations said “horrific”) to see the killing of unborn children.

A headline on a Reuters account of the papal address characterized the Pope’s statement as a “nod to conservatives.” Both Reuters and AP, in their coverage of the papal speech, emphasized that Pope Francis had encountered criticism from some Catholics because he has not spoken out previously on the abortion issue.

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Translations! Who does them? In Francis' Italian speech, abortion "desta orrore"-"gives rise to horror". The English word "frightful" robs the Italian phrase of all its vigor. On the other hand, "horrific" misses the mark too because I think it doesn't convey the personal, human revulsion and disgust a person experiences realizing what abortion does. For me, "horrifying" renders most closely the substance and fairly formal Italian of what Francis said: "Horrifying is the very thought etc.

Posted by: msorensen71798 -
Jan. 13, 2014 11:48 PM ET USA

The press just can't comprehend that the Church doesn't pander to the Left nor to the Right. It looks UP, and calls for what is pleasing to God.

Posted by: unum -
Jan. 13, 2014 10:05 PM ET USA

The wires would see a political agenda in the ten commandments if it suited their purpose!

Posted by: polish.pinecone4371 -
Jan. 13, 2014 9:50 PM ET USA

Of course they're wrong, normnuke. It won't be too long before the honeymoon with the leftist media will be over.

Posted by: Mike in Toronto -
Jan. 13, 2014 8:43 PM ET USA

Rightists seem to believe that Francis should be on their side. I *know* they're wrong. The Pope is, and should be, neither right, nor left, but on the "side" of orthodox Catholic teaching.

Posted by: jg23753479 -
Jan. 13, 2014 7:26 PM ET USA

This isn't a 'nod' to anyone, and it's neither right nor left; it's the 5th Commandment. If Francis condemns capital punishment next week, will that be seen as a 'nod to the liberals'?

Posted by: normnuke -
Jan. 13, 2014 4:34 PM ET USA

Leftists seem to believe that Francis is really on their side. I hope they're wrong.